INEOS Britannia’s Groundbreaking Journey in the 37th America’s Cup Concludes in Barcelona

The 37th America’s Cup concluded with a remarkable performance from Emirates Team New Zealand, who secured their third consecutive victory, cementing their legacy as the most dominant team in the event’s history. However, while the trophy stayed with the Kiwis, the story of INEOS Britannia’s campaign marked a historic turning point for British sailing in the world’s most prestigious sailing competition.

A Historic Journey for INEOS Britannia

INEOS Britannia, racing under the banner of the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd, made history on multiple fronts during the 37th America’s Cup. The team became the first British crew in 60 years to compete in the America’s Cup Match, an achievement that alone made waves in the world of competitive sailing. Additionally, INEOS Britannia became the first British team to score points in the Match in 90 years, a feat that reflected their growth and determination on the international stage. Perhaps most notably, the team made history as the first British challenger to win the America’s Cup Challenger Series, a significant accomplishment that laid a foundation for the future of British sailing in this prestigious competition.

Despite these historic milestones, INEOS Britannia’s campaign came to an end after a 7-2 defeat to the defending champions, Emirates Team New Zealand. The defeat marked the conclusion of what had been an incredibly competitive and inspiring campaign for the team, who fought valiantly throughout the tournament.

The Final Showdown: INEOS Britannia vs. Emirates Team New Zealand

The ninth race of the America’s Cup Match saw an exciting and intense battle between the two teams. INEOS Britannia dominated the start, forcing Emirates Team New Zealand to tack away. However, the Kiwis quickly found a shift in the wind and managed to creep up, stealing the lead. By the second leg, their advantage had grown to 360 meters.

October 04, 2024. Louis Vuitton Cup Final, Race Day 7. INEOS BRITANNIA, winners of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

On the third leg, INEOS Britannia made a fierce charge, closing the gap to just 1 meter, but they were unable to overtake their opponents. The Brits continued to push hard but were ultimately unable to regain the lead. By the penultimate leg, Emirates Team New Zealand extended their lead once again, and despite INEOS Britannia’s best efforts, the Kiwis crossed the finish line first to clinch their third consecutive America’s Cup victory.

A Proud Campaign and Focus on the Future

Following the race, Team Principal and Skipper Ben Ainslie expressed his pride in the team’s journey, highlighting the immense progress made over the course of the campaign. “Firstly, we want to pass our congratulations on to Emirates Team New Zealand. They raced a great series and continue to dominate the event with their three-peat, making them the greatest America’s Cup team of all time,” said Ainslie. He also reflected on the team’s growth, noting the significant improvement over the past three years and comparing the team’s journey to the well-established dominance of Emirates Team New Zealand, who have decades of experience in the competition.

Ainslie emphasized that the team’s mission has always been clear: to bring the America’s Cup home to Britain. Despite falling short this time, the INEOS Britannia team remains committed to that goal, with plans to continue fostering British talent through their Athena Pathway Youth and Women’s teams. Ainslie’s commitment to improving the team’s performance remains unwavering, as he looks forward to future campaigns with renewed determination.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of INEOS, also took the opportunity to praise the team’s efforts, acknowledging the hard work, data analysis, and strategic optimization that had gone into every race. He remarked, “We have seen how Ben and the team have interrogated the data, optimised the technology and refined their sailing strategies to unlock more performance from the boat and the sailing team race by race. This progress is testament to the unquestioning commitment from everyone in the team both in Barcelona and Brackley.”

Looking Ahead

Although INEOS Britannia’s challenge for the 37th America’s Cup ultimately ended in disappointment, the team’s historic achievements cannot be overlooked. The performance of INEOS Britannia set a new standard for British sailing, and the team’s future looks incredibly bright. With continued investment, technical innovation, and a focus on nurturing young talent, the team is poised to remain a force to be reckoned with in the America’s Cup for years to come.

The journey to bring the America’s Cup home to Britain continues, and INEOS Britannia’s remarkable achievements in Barcelona have set the stage for even greater challenges ahead. As Ben Ainslie and his team look towards the future, their commitment to excellence and their unwavering belief in British sailing will drive their next chapter in this storied competition.